Author Archives: grnarrow

About grnarrow

Setlist Architect/Art Scene Checker-Outer/Sound Feeler

Dr. John: The Best of the Parlophone Years

By | |
Leave a comment

This disc pulls from the four albums Dr. John recorded for the British Parlophone label from 1997 to 2004 (released in the United States on Blue Note and Virgin). In the several decades since his popular emergence as the Night Tripper he’s become one of the respected men of New Orleans music. These 17 songs show him to be drawing from deep Crescent City traditions, as well as R&B, jazz, swing, balladry. The tunes also showcase his work with a range of notable guests (from Paul Weller to Randy Newman to Mavis Staples). These artist prove just how broad their shared influences are. Dr. John truly is a regular guy with a shadow that looms large over New Orleans.

Walter “Wolfman” Washington: Blue Moon Risin’

By | |
Comments Off on Walter “Wolfman” Washington: Blue Moon Risin’

Walter is a long-time favorite in New Orleans, and he has done some great work, but he really outdid himself here. The horn section in “Blue Moon Rising” has that majestic feel of Coltrane’s “Blue Trane”, and his melody line in that song is a downward walk down the stairs of longing like no other melody line I have heard in a blues song – deliberate, pensive, refraining from the acrobatic vocal loop-de-loops of modern R&B / soul. His voice can be both smooth like a crooner and tormented like a screamer. Songs like “Stop and think” and “Glasshouse” left me hitting repeat many times after the first listen, and true to his birthplace, Walter writes lyrics that not only *mean* something (are you listening, pop world?) but also decry the troubles of this world without becoming larmoyant. If you don’t listen to the lyrics, you might think “He Will See Us Through” is from Prince’s Purple Rain rather than a wonderfully soulful, hopeful, and danceable *gospel* addressing someone who has lost a loved one. When the going gets tough in New Orleans, people go dancing, so the same music that makes your foot tap also makes your heart cry and open up. (Maybe we should build better levees instead of partying – get to that next life.)

Charlie Hunter, Bobby Previte W/ DJ: LOGIC LONGITUDE

By | |
Leave a comment

This is the second installment in the collaboration between Hunter (master of the 8-string guitar ) and Previte (electronic and acoustic drum virtuoso). This time around the rotating third member slot is filled by turntable wizard DJ Logic. Together they’ve turned up the heat, further progressing their sound into a more aggressive mix of funk, jazz, and jam band-style rock.
Guest DJ Logic’s messing around with turntablism allows Previte & Hunter to ride free in continuous sound hints and sparkling solos. Previte is powerfull and heavy-beating on acoustic drum; Hunter turns distorsion on and plays lots of dramatically-bare riffs for high moments of interplay.
Less ‘jazz-like’ than Latitude, maybe difficult to listen to for predictability-bound ears, but fresh and stimulating if you approach music by the what-could-it become.
Take the time to check the whole album out and you won’t be disappointed.

Mr. G reccomends ****

Daby Balde: Introduction to Daby Balde

By | |
Comments Off on Daby Balde: Introduction to Daby Balde

Daby Balde is one of Senegal’s best-kept musical secrets, long celebrated at home and now filtering onto the international scene. His amazing arrangements are based on his Fula traditions from the south of the country and feature the fiddle, accordion and flute accompanied by the more familiar West African sounds of the kora, acoustic guitar and percussion. With handsomely rich and beautiful melodies, captivating vocals and a repertoire that ranges from euphoric to melancholic, Daby Balde is a West African star on the rise.

MR G Rating *****

Must Listen for any world music fan.

11/16th Music for the THRISTY EAR

By | |
Leave a comment

Agri, Tom Rossi
Waino Blues, Daby Balde
Glory Box, Portishead
Dunrunnin,Duncarin,Dunlivin, Roger Waters
Jupiter Mask, C.Hunter/B. Previte/DJ LOGIC
What you Know About Funk?, Maceo Parker
ABC, Maceo Parker
Big Fat F@#k, Ween
Kettle Whistle, Jane’s Addiction
Funky Peru, Micky Hart
Praise You, Fatboy Slim
Pictures of Matchstickmen, Ozzy/Type O Neg.
Tired of Waiting, Green Day
Manny’s Bones, Los Lobos
I wish You Would, Hot Tuna
Keep on Truckin’, Hot Tuna
Tired of your Jive, BB King/Billy Gibbons
Need your Love so Bad, BB King/Sheryl Crow
All Over Again, BB King/Mark Knopfler
Use Me, Wolfman Washington
Can’t Call You No More, Hubert Sumlins Blues Party
Beth, Kiss

Nov. 9th MAD Mustafa…Don’t Do IT!!!!

By | |
Leave a comment

Aja Maji, Joe Claussell
Tarana, Thievery Corporation
Miosato Le, Mi Day Thome, Orch. Poly-Rhythmo
Ceddo End Title, Manu Dibango
Tudo Bem Malandro, Achados E Perdidos
Facing East, Thievery Corporation
La La La, ZZZ
2nd Hand Smoke, ZZZ
Gunman, Adrian Belew&David Bowie
Freak Now, New Wet Kojak
Friday Night, G Love* Special Sauce
People Carrier, Morcheeba
Moog Marmalade, Galactic
Sweet Leaf, Galactic
Eternal Funk, Ken Clark Trio
The Dr. is in, Ken Clark Trio
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Jonny Lang
Rack ’em up, Jonny Lang
Still Raining, Jonny Lang
Me & Bobby McGee, Dolly Parton/Kris Kristoffersen
Down by the Delta, Duke Robillard Band
Can’t Stop Loving You, Walter Wolfman Washington
The Grinder, Robert Cray
Play the Blues for You, Ladell McLin

NOV 2nd…..One Hour ahead

By | |
Leave a comment

Rocked by Rape, Aphex Twins feat. Dan Rather
This Flight Tonite, Nazereth
Root Down, Beastie Boys
Sabatage, Beastie Boys
Shambala, Beastie Boys
Jack the Stripper/Fairies wear Boots, Sabbath
Daytripper, Bad Brains
Dr. Money, Djam Karet
Riot Radio(acoustic), the DEAD 60’s
Happiness Runs, Donovan (for RUDY)
President of WHat, Death Cab for Cutie
Home, Engineers
Don’t Worry About Tomorrow, Van Morrison
Ordinary People, Van Morrison
Change your Mind, Neil Young
Gangster of Love, Steve Miller band
You’re so Fine, Steve Miller band
Where no Mandolin has gone B4, Nashville Mandolin Ensemble
When the Levee Breaks, Led Zeppelin
Don’t think Twice, Mike Ness
Hikky-Burr, Quincy Jones/Bill Cosby

New Chairs Everywhere

By | |
Comments Off on New Chairs Everywhere

Sexy M.F., Prince
Push the Tempo, Fatboy Slim
Weapon of Choice, Fatboy Slim
Tonite, the bottle let me down, Throw Rag
Shoeshine Girl, Iggy Pop
Galxie Fraulein, The Capes
All Cause of you, the 88
Haunt You, The 88
Nationwide, the Dead 60’s
Cha Cha, Balkan Beatbox
My 36 Favorite Punk Songs, Jason Forrest
Storming Blues Rock, Jason Forrest
You’ll be Mine, Stevie Ray Vaughn & DT *
Mule, Gov’t Mule
Samson & Delilah, Rev. Gary Davis
Baby Blue, Bob Dylan
Not Fade Away, Buddy Holly
Honeywhite, Morphine
Scratch, Morphine
All your way, Morphine
TUBULAR BELLS
Hen Layin’ Rooster, Dr. John/B.B. King/Gatemouth Brown
I ate up the apple tree, Dr. John/Randy Newman
Lay My Burden Down, Dr. John/Mavis Staples/ Dirty Dozen Brass Band
No reply, John Mayall * the bluesbreakers
I had my chance, Morphine

OCT 19: one, two, seven..

By | |
Leave a comment

Ravine, Mecca Bodega
Anytime is a Good Time, Mecca Bodega
Smoke, Mecca Bodega
Bounce, Melvin Sparks
She makes me want to Sing, Jerry Douglas/Derek Trucks
Who’s your Uncle, Douglas/Sam Bush/Bela Fleck
Swing Blues #1, Douglas/John Fogerty
All you Need is Love, the Beatles
Must’ve been the Roses, Grateful Dead
Green River, Bill Wyman& the Rhythm Kings
Sky is Crying, Greg Allman/Warren Haynes
King Bee, Steven Tyler/Joe Perry
Lenny, Stevie Ray Vaughn
Life by the Drop, Stevie Ray Vaughn
Last Train to Chicago, Stoney Curtis Band
We were always Sweethearts, Boz Skaggs
When Love Comes to Town, B.B King
The Healing Game, John Lee Hooker/Van Morrison
Blues is here to Stay, Tab Benoit
Emotional Rescue, the Rolling Stones
Penguin Walk, John and the Sisters

Horace X: Strategy

By | |
Comments Off on Horace X: Strategy

Horace X takes it to the other end of the spectrum, pushing the craze factor to 10, painting band members in day-glow paint and putting onoutrageous live show. This album as well as the 2003 release, SACKBUTT, skillfully weave (among other things) dancehall rants, punk rock, Middle Eastern melodies, Irish fiddle, funky bass, live drumming, strange vocal samples and Balkan music into a non-stop dance party. They have a sound that defies description–“global fusion” just doesn’t quite do them justice
Get ready to shake it all over.
GO HORACE GO

Ommium 2005 ***** Mr. G reccomeded listen/shake..

Jerry Douglas: The best kept secret

By | |
Leave a comment

As further proof that the virtuosity of Jerry Douglas knows no categorical bounds, the biggest surprise on his predominantly instrumental The Best Kept Secret is a revival of the disco-era smash “Back in Love Again,” with Alison Krauss supplying as much vocal funk as she can muster. The undisputed master of the shimmering Dobro (and a featured member of Krauss’s band Union Station), Douglas also applies his artistry to the jazzy atmospherics of Weather Report’s “A Remark You Made,” pays homage to Celtic fiddler Aly Bain on the reflective “Sir Aly B,” trades licks with guitarist Bill Frisell on the twangy “Lil’ Ro Ro,” and enlists John Fogerty for guest vocals on “Swing Blues #1.” The album additionally showcases Douglas on lap steel, with guitarist Derek Trucks providing rock propulsion on the opening “She Makes Me Want to Sing.” A breakdown with banjoist Béla Fleck and mandolinist Sam Bush on “Who’s Your Uncle?” finds Douglas on more familiar turf at his bluegrass best. I highly reccomend this album for listeners of all genres.

the BACK to the CLASSICS (sort of) show

By | |
Leave a comment

VooDoo People, the Prodgy
Absolutely Fabulous, Ab Fab
Monkey & the Turtle, Christine Anu
Closer, NIN
Seether, Veruca Salt
I Zimbra, Talking Heads
And She Was, Talking Heads
Stay up Late, Talking Heads
Dance this Mess Around, B-52’s
Late in the Evening, Paul Simon
Sunshine Supercreep, turn me on dead man
Raja Vedalu, dj Cheb i Sabbah
Electric-Moonshine, Dr. Didg
Kikky-Burr, Quincy Jones/Bill Cosby
Illuminated, Weird War
Girls Like That, Weird War
Try, Janis Joplin
Move Over, Janis Joplin
Fat Man, Jethro Tull
Excitable Boy, Warren Zevon
A Certain Girl, Warren Zevon
Detox Mansion, Warren Zevon
Raspberry Beret, Warren Zevon
the Same Thing, Treat her Right
Clap Hands, John Hammond
Deep Elm Blues, Grateful Dead
Blues is a Friend of mine, Michael Pickett

Once in a LIFETIME…

By | |
Leave a comment

ONCE in a LIFETIME you are allowed to do something you have ALWAYS wanted to…

Today’s show is a testiment to the premise: YOU NEVER KNOW UNLESS YOU ASK…Please do!!!

Numb, Portishead
Scarlet Begonias, Jazz is Dead
Mr.Cool’s Dream, James Taylot Quartet
Gimmie the Car, Violent Femmes
Country Death Song, Violent Femmes
Like a Military Coup, Morcheeba
Living Hell, Morcheeba
Two Dollars, Drums & Tuba
Heli, Daby Balde
Honeybee Blues, Tao of Groove
Most Beautiful, Sam Kininger
Enjoy & Get it on, ZZ top
Rusty Cage, Johhny Cash
Spinner, Twinemen
I got a woman, Ray Charles
Greenback, Ray Charles
Lonely Avenue, Ray Charles

***RAVI SHANKAR INTERVIEW***

Transmigration, Ravi Shankar
Mishra Piloo, Ravi Shankar

Podcast — Interview with Ravi Shankar

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Take a moment to listen to one of the world’s most articulate men in the music world. I am so proud of the opportunity I had to speak to the man known as Ravi Shankar. This phone interview certainly makes me happy to be alive. Mr. Shankar is a gracious human being who loves a good laugh and telling tales of authentic Indian raga/sitar music. ENJOY

Listen Now!ravii.jpg

to GRAMMIE

By | |
Comments Off on to GRAMMIE

Ted, Just Admit it, Janes Addiction
Creme Egg, Banco de Gaio
Ganga Dev, DJ Cheb I Sabbah
Gharana, Badmarsh Shri
Poonah, Zakir Hussain
Tiamat’s Resurrection, Enuma Elish
theme(Starsky & Hutch, James Taylor Quartet
theme(Dirty Harry), James Taylor Quartet
Blues for Allah Medley, Jazz is Dead
Iko Iko, Dr. John
Got to be New Orleans, Elvin Bishop
Lovelight, Them
Smokestack Lightening, Howlin’ Wolf
I asked for Water, Howlin’ Wolf
Who’s been Talking, Howlin’ Wolf
Sitting on top of the World, Howlin’ Wolf
Before you Accuse me, Bo Diddley
I’m a Man, Bo Diddley
Hey Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley
Hush your Mouth, Bo Diddley
Who do you Love, Bo Diddley
Get Right W/God, Lucinda Williams

From BUDDY to RUDY……..

By | |
Leave a comment

First Cool Hive, Moby
Back on a Roll, Super Furry Animals
We are the Dead, David Bowie
Chant of the ever Circling Skeletal Family, David Bowie
Funky Lil’ Song, Beck
Jelly Dancers, Eels
Long Hair, Little Barrie
La La La, ZZZ
House of Sin, ZZZ
Pussycat Meow, Deeelite
Barracuda, Rasputina
R-N-R, Rasputina
Sweet Georgia Brown, Grapelli/Grisman
Funky Good Times, Melvin Sparks
Hard Knock, Fabulous T-Birds
Got to Get out, Fabulous T-Birds
Rock Candy, Fabulous T-Birds
Blues is in the House, Reggie Wayne Morris
Boogie Man, Omar+the Howlers
I don’t Stutter, John McVey

September 14th …Same Time, Same Day

By | |
Leave a comment

Feelin’ Free, Sukia
Actionist Respoke, Mouse on Mars
Do it, Mouse on Mars
Catching Butterflies w/my hands, MoM
Girl Faces, Gert Wilden
Dirty Boy, Gert Wilden
Hey-Hee-Hi-Ho, MMW
Whatever Happened to Gus, MMW
Bio-Tech, Tabla Beat Science
Genesis Sitar, Ravi Shankar
Untamed, Del McCoury Band
Po’ Black Maddie, North Missi. All Stars
Skinny Woman, RL Burnside
Bad Luck & Trouble, RL Burnside
I’m Ready, Magic Slim & the Teardrops
River Hop Mama, Charlie Musselwhite
Lotsa Poppa, Charlie Musselwhite
Good Time Baby, Gov. Davis & blues Ambassadors
Cold Strings, Gatemouth Brown
When you got a good Friend, Eric Clapton
Hell Hounds on my trail, Eric Clapton
Leaving Trunk, Derek Trucks
Organ Colossus, Ron Levy’s Wild Kingdom

SKY SAW

By | |
Leave a comment

With over a decade’s worth of projects to his credit, Sky Saw is the latest of many eclectic endeavors for guitarist/composer/electric zither ace Core Redonnett. For close to ten years, he has held the principal zither position in the Boston production of Blue Man Group, giving him the opportunity to master a new and unusual instrument as well as the motivation to custom build one and write a new repertoire for it. A jazz composition degree from Berklee College of Music provided Core a springboard from which to explore a vast number of creative outlets. Experimental large ensemble works, jazz combos, guitar quartets, electronica, a full scale rock opera, and his long standing work with prog rockers Xixxo are among the projects for which he has written, produced, arranged, recorded, and performed. It was in fact through their four years together in Xixxo that Core’s musical relationship with Yuri Zbitnoff was formed. Since leaving that band, Yuri has pursued his interest in improvised jazz and rock through Lithiq’s celebrated jazz/electronica duo, Enuma Elish, as well as a constantly burgeoning set of other outlets that has included, among others, Raqib Hassan’s Interdimensional Science Research Orchestra, the free improv outfit Leap of Faith, and ambient dub metal scientists Teledubgnosis.

Lithiq 2005 release…Worth checking out….over and over……a Mr.G reccomended Album *****

GATEMOUTH BROWN

By | |
Leave a comment

Following His Own Road

Brown is content to live out his days performing and spending time at home near the alligator-filled swamps outside Slidell, La. When he isn’t watching the History Channel, Animal Planet or cartoon oldies such as Tom & Jerry, he’s cruising in one of six beloved mint-condition vintage cars, including a 1976 Buick Riviera and a 1964 Lincoln Continental.

Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, perhaps the most versatile of all blues-based musicians, died Saturday at age eighty-one of complications from lung cancer and heart disease. A longtime resident of Slidell, Louisiana, just outside New Orleans, the Blues Foundation Hall of Famer recently lost his home to Hurricane Katrina and had been preparing to relocate to Austin.
A multi-instrumentalist who played fiddle, mandolin, viola, drums, piano and harmonica in addition to guitar, Brown was a master of many genres: big-band blues, bop, country, Cajun, even calypso — what he called “American Music, Texas Style.” A youthful disciple of T-Bone Walker, Brown’s own ferocious, exceedingly confident style would inspire a wide cross-section of followers, from Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Frank Zappa. “I’m so unorthodox,” he once said, “a lot of people can’t handle it.”
Brown was born April 18, 1924, in Vinton, Louisiana, and raised from infancy in Orange, Texas. He learned to play fiddle and guitar through his father, a railroad man and moonlighting musician who specialized in country and Cajun music. Brown earned his nickname in high school when a teacher accused him of having a “voice like a gate”; a brother, James “Widemouth” Brown, later had a brief recording career of his own. Brown played drums in a touring band before joining the Army. After the service, he found work as a guitar player in San Antonio and was soon brought to Houston by the nightclub owner Don Robey. As blues legend has it, Brown made $600 in tips in one night in 1947 at Robey’s club, the Peacock, while filling in for an ailing Walker.
During his long career, Brown was awarded several W.C. Handy honors as an instrumentalist, and he was a recipient of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award and NARAS’ Heroes Award. In 1982 he won a Grammy for Alright Again!, a Rounder recording that featured covers of songs by T-Bone Walker and Albert Collins. A stint with Alligator Records yielded a duet with Michelle Shocked in 1992, and Verve paired Brown with a procession of admirers, including Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder and Leon Russell, for the 1996 duets album A Long Way Home. Brown’s last album, Timeless, was released a year ago on the Hightone label.

Gatemouth Brown Dies
Influential blues instrumentalist was eighty-one source:Rolling Stone Sept. 12,2005